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Authorities in Belarus have arrested a outstanding journalist who has written for the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, the most recent step in a yearslong crackdown on opposition figures, unbiased journalists and human rights activists.
The Belarusian Affiliation of Journalists mentioned Ihar Karnei, 55, was arrested within the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on Monday. His condominium was raided, with police seizing telephones and computer systems, his daughter, Polina, instructed The Related Press.
The authorities have provided no rationalization for the arrest and the searches. Nevertheless, RFE/RL has been labeled extremist in Belarus, and dealing with it or spreading its content material is punishable by as much as seven years in jail.
Belarus’ oldest and most prominent human rights group, Viasna, reported that Karnei has been positioned within the Akrestina pretrial detention middle, infamous for its harsh situations and torture of prisoners. In keeping with Viasna, neither legal professionals nor members of the family have entry to Karnei.
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This photograph taken on Monday, March 12, 2018 and launched by svaboda.org RFE/RL exhibits Belarusian journalist Ihar Karnei, who was arrested within the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on July 17, 2023. (svaboda.org RFE/RL Photograph by way of AP)
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Journalists and activists in Belarus have confronted large-scale repression for the reason that August 2020 vote that handed a sixth time period to President Alexander Lukashenko. Following the election, which was rejected as fraudulent by the opposition and the West, Belarus was swept by huge protests, a few of which drew greater than 100,000 individuals.
Authorities responded with a brutal crackdown. Greater than 35,000 individuals had been arrested, hundreds had been overwhelmed by police whereas in custody, and dozens of nongovernmental organizations and unbiased media retailers had been shut down.
A complete of 36 journalists are at the moment behind bars in Belarus.
Karnei was detained a number of instances whereas masking the protests. In contrast to lots of his colleagues, he has remained in Belarus regardless of the crackdown.
“Arrests, searches, torture in detention facilities proceed in Belarus,” Viasna mentioned in a latest assertion. “Political prisoners are being pressured, and unbiased information merchandise are being designated extremist.”
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